Kelly Peller was the recipient of the Prepare to Be a Champion Award. (Ray Acevedo)

Team and Individual Honors Handed Out at Valpo Women's Basketball Banquet

Saturday, May 01, 2010

The players were recognized and awards were handed out on
Saturday afternoon at the annual Valparaiso University Women’s Basketball
Banquet held at the Strongbow
Inn Banquet
Center.

Head coach Keith
Freeman honored each of the team members in front of nearly 100 supporters
at the annual event to wrap up the 2009-2010 season. In addition, Freeman handed out the awards
that were voted upon by the various team members.

Kelly Peller (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton
H.S.) and Rashida Ray (Fort Wayne, Ind./Harding
H.S.) were honored for their leadership during the season as team captains.

Peller also was awarded the Prepare to be a Champion Award
in recognition of Julie Bigler, a student-athlete who relentlessly worked to be
the best she could be, and whose attitude pierced the heart of everyone around
her.

Whitney Farris (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo
H.S.) was the recipient of the Dorothy M. McCormick Award, presented in
recognition of her talent, ability, and devotion to the ideals of the
Valparaiso University Women’s Basketball program.